Bowling alley gets ready to change lanes

Elitch Lanes owner is striking out to Arvada after the original bowling alley on Tennyson Street closes on May 17.

When I spoke to Eichinger about the popular bowling spot’s closing after losing its lease, he told me that he was zoning in on a new location (sadly) outside of Denver’s city limits.

“We’re going to take a bunch of our equipment, paint the inside just like Elitch Lanes,” Eichinger told Westword “We’re going to make it feel as much like Elitch Lanes as we can and operate it with our philosophy –; which is F.U.N. We don’t take it seriously.”

The new Elitch Lanes will open at 10000 Ralston Road in Arvada, in the former Western Bowl. Eichinger –; who has been in the bowling business for 40 years and has spent well over a decade as Elitch Lanes’ owner –; says his new place is going to look and feel just like the old spot. “Most bowling centers still have some core business, based on traditional league bowlers that take bowling too seriously,” Eichinger said. “They treat it like a `win at all costs’ game and it’s like, really? We’re all amateurs. We like fun.”

To honor the good times at the old location, Elitch Lanes will be having a weekend blowout celebration before its May 18 opening in the new spot.

The original Elitch Lanes at 3825 Tennyson St. is open through May 17. The closing celebration will be from May 15 through May 17 with a $ 40 per person rate for all you can eat, drink and bowl from 6 to 9 p.m. or 9 p.m. to midnight daily. The new Elitch Lanes at 10000 Ralston Road in Arvada will open for business May 18. For more information, visit www.elitchbowling.com or call 303-477-1633.

Viewhouse’s `Anti-Valentine’s Day’

Not feeling the love? ViewHouse, at 2015 Market St. (www.viewhouse.com), is hosting an “Anti-Valentine’s Day” party, which involves hunting, gathering, drinking and dancing on Feb. 14.

The evening kicks off with a scavenger hunt in the venue spanning all floors and including the rooftop patio area. Your prey?  Single ViewHouse staffers.  The first contestants to return with completed game cards will receive a spot at the VIP table for the concert the following day at ViewHouse. DJ spinning starts at 9 p.m., with prize giveaways all night. No romance allowed.

If you’re headed south of downtown, ViewHouse Centennial (7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial –; www.viewhouse.com) is throwing a singles-only evening including an old-school Lock & Key Singles Party, kicking off at 10 p.m. Guys get locks, gals get keys, and everyone spends a fun night taking in tunes, sipping Strawberry Stilettos (Grey Goose vodka, fresh strawberry, triple sec, fresh oranges, simple syrup and cranberry) and trying to find the magic combination. Found your match? You’ll be entered into a raffle to win a gift card for a return date night at ViewHouse.

ChoLon gets dumplings nod

Boulder-based food and travel writer first reported that ChoLon, the upscale Asian-influenced eatery on 16th and Blake streets in downtown Denver, was included in the Food Network’s “Where to Eat Great Dumplings” on her Culinary Colorado blog.

Here’s what Food Network said: “Denver may be better known for snow bunnies than snow peas, but Chef (who cut his teeth at Buddakan, Spice Market and Jean Georges Shanghai) is making a name for himself at his modern upscale bistro in the lively LoDo district, where he presents wildly creative Southeast Asian-inspired dishes such as bacon `thrice fried rice’ carbonara. He’s also managed to turn the traditional Asian soup dumpling on its head. Inspired by the classic French onion soup, Symensma fills his dumplings with sweet caramelized onions, melted Gruyere cheese and a sherry-infused broth that bursts when you bite into them.”

Not to take anything away from ChoLon’s delightful dumplings, but also try TAG restaurant’s take on the French onion soup dumpling and let me know which dumpling does it for you.

Denver Center’s slate announced

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts 2015-16 Broadway season features Tony Award-winning hits and family favorites straight from Broadway, including “Matilda The Musical,” “If/Then” (national tour launch), “Murder For Two,” “A Christmas Story, The Musical,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” “Disney’s Newsies,” “Beautiful –; The Carole King Musical,” “The Book of Mormon,” “Disney’s The Lion King,” “Dirty Dancing –; The Classic Story on Stage,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Riverdance –; The 20th Anniversary World Tour,” “Once,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” and “The Sound of Music.”

The season starts with “The Book of Mormon” Aug. 11 through Sept. 13.

Subscriptions are available by calling 303-893-4100 or by visiting www.denvercenter.org.

Tourism office best in U.S.

The Colorado Tourism Office was recently named the “Best U.S. State Tourism Bureau” at the annual Travvy Awards, presented by travAlliancemedia. The Travvy Awards recognizes the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry and honors travel companies, travel products, travel agencies and destinations for their outstanding achievement.

“We are very excited to be recognized by the travel agent community as the top state tourism office in the nation,” said , director of the Colorado Tourism Office. “This award says a lot about the effectiveness of our marketing, the friendliness of our tourism industry in welcoming travelers and working with travel agents as well as Colorado as an extremely desirable destination for visitors.”

For more information or a copy of the 2015 Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit www.colorado.com or call 1-800-COLORADO (1-800-265-6723).

Overheard

“Slim pickings at Costco today. They were handing out samples of gluten-free Special K (no milk) and canned beets. How am I supposed to make a meal out of that?”

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